Welcome to the Chronic Pain Studies Page

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

Auriculotherapy Brain Imaging Research Study

Adults with low back pain are being recruited to determine how stimulation of the ear and cryo-auriculotherapy treatment change brain activity and affect chronic low back pain. This research study involves four visits that each last two hours, conducted during weekday working hours. Compensation is provided.

Chronic Pain

Other Bones, Joints, and Muscles

Other Brain and Nervous System

Other Injuries/Injury Prevention

AGE: 18 and older

DURATION: approximately 10 weeks

VISITS: 4

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: up to $1100

Ultrasound Imaging for Myofascial Pain - Chronic Low Back Pain

Do you experience chronic low back pain? Are you 20-29 and 40-49 years old? You may be able to participate in a research study to help understand and diagnose low back pain using ultrasound imaging. Compensation is provided.

Chronic Pain

AGE: 20-29 and 40-49

DURATION: 2 weeks

VISITS: 2 in-person visits

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh - Main Campus

COMPENSATION: $200

Cartilage Response to Exercise (CARE) Research Study

Do you have knee osteoarthritis? You may be eligible for a research study testing the feasibility of administering two different interventions in people with knee osteoarthritis. One of the interventions will be exercise programs administered as usual, while the other intervention will be the same exercise program administered with interval or resting periods. Compensation is provided

DURATION: 4 months

VISITS: approximately 38

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: up to $300

All of Us Pennsylvania Research Program

We’re all different. But when we visit the doctor, our treatments are often the same. The All of Us Research Program thinks one day health care should be tailored for you. This is called precision medicine. And research can help us get there.

VISITS: one in person visit

LOCATION: Convenient locations throughout Pennsylvania

COMPENSATION: $25.00 gift card

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Painimation Mobile App

Do you have chronic pain? Are you over the age of 18? If yes, you qualify to participate in a short research study to test a new pain assessment tool that uses abstract animations to help describe and measure pain. Research participation involves downloading an app on your mobile phone and answering a few questions on the app.

Chronic Pain

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: Approximately 20 minutes

VISITS: one online session using our app

LOCATION: Online

COMPENSATION: NONE

Cervical Manipulation

Are you currently experiencing neck pain? You may be eligible for a research study to determine how different types of manual therapies affect neck movements in adults with neck pain. Compensation is provided.

Chronic Pain

Healthy Aging

Healthy Volunteer

Other Bones, Joints, and Muscles

And 1 more area

AGE: 18-70

DURATION: 1-2 days

LOCATION: UPMC Mercy & the University of Pittsburgh Biodynamics Laboratory

COMPENSATION: up to $160

Pain Emotion Adolescent Relationship (PEAR) Study - Parent of teen 14-17 years old

Are you the parent of a 14-17 year old? Do they have mild to high pain in the jaw, neck, back, shoulders, or limbs? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to better understand how pain, mood, and mental health are related in youth. Compensation is provided.

Arthritis

Bones, Joints, and Muscles

Child Health

Chronic Pain

And 4 more areas

AGE: 18 and older

VISITS: 2 visits in-person & remote; daily online surveys

COMPENSATION: YES

Reducing Inflammation for Greater Health Trial: The RIGHT Study

Are you 70 years old or older? You may be eligible for a research study to test whether a medication that blocks inflammation can improve energy level and walking ability. Compensation is provided.

Arthritis

Bones, Joints, and Muscles

Chronic Pain

Healthy Aging

And 4 more areas

AGE: 70 and older

DURATION: 14 months

VISITS: 6 in-person visits with monthly injections

LOCATION: Health Studies Research Center (HSRC)

COMPENSATION: Up to $350

Achilles Tendinopathy Study

Do you suffer from Achilles tendinopathy pain? If so, you may be eligible for a research study examining the effectiveness of metformin on the management of tendon inflammation and pain. Participation includes three separate visits over a period of 16 weeks. Compensation is provided.

Chronic Pain

Other Bones, Joints, and Muscles

Tendonitis

AGE: 18-60

DURATION: 16 weeks

VISITS: 3

LOCATION: UPMC Mercy Pavilion

COMPENSATION: up to $390

Spinal Cord Stimulation for the treatment of motor deficits in people with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Are you affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy? You may be able to participate in a research study using spinal cord stimulation (SCS), an approved clinical therapy for pain syndromes that do not respond to drugs. Unexpectedly, SCS has shown the ability to promote the recovery of leg motor function in people with complete motor paralysis in consequence of spinal cord injury years after injury.

DURATION: 9 months

VISITS: 35 visits

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian

COMPENSATION: $1750

RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:

Bones, Joints, and Muscles